Nelson on Draft Day: An Appreciation

Since Don Nelson first joined the Warriors in 1988, he’s been intimately involved in 14 drafts. 6 times he’s traded the pick. 8 times he’s picked a player and kept him. When you line up all the years, there’s a pretty compelling case to be made that Nelson’s preferences have followed a certain trajectory. Previous results do not predict future returns, but here’s how Nelson has been trending.

Brief side note: Yes, I know that Don Nelson isn’t currently the Warriors GM. Until someone comes up with an issue on which Nelson and Riley split, however, I’m just going to conflate the two friends when describing draft decisions. They’ll be like one of those celebrity couples, merged with a combined name. Except this celebrated basketball management pair’s name, for blogging purposes, will simply be Nelson. Anyway…

The Warriors hired Don Nelson as GM during the 87-88 season. He wasted no time getting down to business, trading Sleepy Floyd and Joe Barry Carroll to Houston for Ralph Sampson. The team was a wasteland for young talent, with the exception of a talented but troubled shooter from St. Johns. The stage was set for Nelson’s first Warriors’ rebuilding.

1988 — Mitch Richmond — The Warriors spent much of the 87-88 season led by Chris Mullin at the 2 spot. Nelson, however, wasn’t discouraged by his current roster from drafting another shooting guard. Mullin moved over to small forward, Richmond won rookie of the year, and the Warriors’ resurgence was immediately jump-started. An inspired pick by Nelson any way you cut it, but any credit for drafting Mitch has to be severely tempered by the mistake of trading him away for the elusive dream of a point forward, this time embodied in Billy Owens.
1989 — Tim Hardaway — Winston Garland started 79 games in the 88-89 season, so point guard was clearly a position of need. Nelson found his man in the middle of the draft, completing the trio that, at least for two years, would fully realize Nelson’s dreams of running, gunning, high scoring basketball. My guess is that Hardaway could still blow by Monta Ellis, Jamal Crawford, or CJ Watson with the ol’ Killer Crossover faster than you can say “unrepentant homophobe.”

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1990 — Tyrone Hill — As hard as it is for me to imagine Nelson drafting a no-offense blue-collar player like Hill today, back in the 90-91 season he not only drafted him but started him 22 games on the way to the Western Semifinals. Of course, playing 4 years at Xavier probably didn’t hurt his case. Also, with the 1-3 spots locked up, drafting a power forward was the clear need (although center was equally suspect with Alton Lister returning from a season-ending knee injury the year before).

1991 — Chris Gatling / Victor Alexander / Shaun Vandiver — Nelson’s endless search for a big man continued in the 91 draft. The injury-limited Vandiver was shipped off to Europe, but both Gatling and Big Vic had major roles in Nelson’s system. Of course, Gatling was a 24-year old rookie and Alexander played four years of college ball, so the maturity level of the players isn’t comparable to most players drafted today.

1992 — Latrell Sprewell — Nelson drafted for need with Sprewell, filling the gap created at two by the Richmond trade. Although Spree played only two years of college ball [forgot the JC years, so chalk Spree up as another 4-year player], he immediately became a major player in Nelson’s system. Initially hailed as a defensive stopper, it wasn’t long before Latrell was tossing up nearly 3 three-pointers a night. The first Warrior to lend his name to a major labor law decision, but probably not the last.
1993 — Anfernee Hardaway (for Chris Webber) — The pick for which Nelson will always be remember, at least among Warriors fans. Hardaway was a Warrior for only a matter of minutes before Nelson pulled the trigger on the trade that would define the franchise for, arguably, the next decade. Nelson’s quest for a big man appeared to be over, but new trouble was just around the bend.

1994 — Clifford Rozier — Nelson’s final pick was a three-year collegiate, drafted before the Nelson-Webber-Cohan implosion. Likely intended to play center for Nelson, it once again appeared to be a pick based upon need rather than best player available. Rozier, like almost every Warrior drafted for the remainder of the decade, quickly faded into obscurity.
1995 — Knicks pick traded to Mavericks — The Knicks traded this pick to the Mavs before Nelson’s tenure with either team, so he doesn’t have a pick to be evaluated for the 95 draft.

1998 — Robert Traylor (for Dirk Nowitzki) — The 98 off-season was a revolutionary one for Nelson and the Mavericks. Dirk and Nash both landed in Dallas thanks largely to Nelson’s creativity with the picks as commodities (you don’t have much to choose from when your second best player prior to the trades is Hubert Davis). The deals showed both a keen eye for Dirk’s talent and a sense that he needed to be paired with a point guard capable of getting the most from his game. The moves also were classic Nelson in his reliance on untraditional talent sources (Europe for Dirk, a small college program for Nash).

1999 — Mavs pick traded to Suns (for Steve Nash) — This pick, traded a year earlier, ended up being Shawn Marion. It’s a fun alternative history exercise to speculate on how good the Mavs could have been with Finley, Nowitzki and Marion rather than Nash. They would have been more explosive, bigger, and better defenders, but the ball wouldn’t have flowed as freely or as easily on the break. I doubt they would have been the classic Nelson team that Dirk and Nash grew up to be, but they a team with Marion might have had a better chance in the playoffs (as occurred when a Marion-like player Josh Howard finally joined the equation). I’m not criticizing Nelson for the trade, since this is entirely hindsight, but it’s worth weighing the risk/reward of trading the pick compared against what it could have become.
2000 — Etan Thomas — With an established team and a late first round pick, Nelson once again returned to his big man quest. As with Run TMC, Nelson had three spots locked down at this point. Thomas never played a game for Nellie in Dallas, so it’s hard to say what he was intended to bring to the team. It’s worth considering, however, that when Nelson isn’t shy about drafting big men. Of course, with his track record, maybe he should be.

2001 — Mavs pick traded to Magic (for Courtney Alexander) — With an established Mavs team, Nelson appeared to no longer have much need for rookies. The 01 pick was basically given away for Alexander, who was a total bust.
2002 — Mavs pick traded to Nuggets (for Nick Van Exel, Avery Johnson, etc) — The 02 pick was part of a much larger trade, made for both talent and cap reasons. Van Exel and Johnson both played major roles in the Mavs final push, providing the type of veteran leadership Nelson likely wanted. When Nelson and Riley claim they want to add veterans to the squad, don’t be shocked if it ends up being something like this deal.

2003 — Josh Howard — A long, versatile four-year collegiate swingman was too much for Nelson to pass up. You can make an argument that Nelson hasn’t drafted a bad player 6-7 or under during this entire period. With Howard, Nelson got an ideal mix-and-match (at least for him): mid-sized player capable of playing larger than his measurements thanks to slashing athleticism. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Warriors ended up looking for a Howard-like player in this draft, or even entered the discussion with the Mavs to obtain the genuine article.
2004 — Mavs pick traded to Celtics (for Antoine Walker and Tony Delk) — Another traded pick with the Mavs struggling to add pieces to get them over the hump. The pick ultimately became Delonte West. By this stage, Nelson’s focus on reaching the next level appeared not to include any youngsters other than Howard. It would be Johnson that would ultimately take this collection of talent to the finals, but the roster was Nelson’s.

What does this history tell us about the Nelson/Riley pick next week? Here’s what jumps out at me:

Nelson appears to draft for need, not best player available. With the exception of the Richmond pick, all of Nelson’s picks go to fill one of the two weakest spots on his roster (and the Richmond pick is explainable by Mullin’s ability to slide to small forward). If the trend holds this year, Nelson will draft a point guard — assuming he thinks that’s the team’s greatest need. There’s the off chance that the Warriors have Ellis penciled in as a point guard, Randolph as their small forward of the future, and Wright pegged as a bust. Under this questionable view of reality, the position of need is power forward, which at least gives the Hill rumors a whiff of probability.

College experience and maturity matter. The demographics of the draft have changed over the year, but Nelson appears to have steered clear of younger players with the exception of Sprewell. Although Nelson was the coach that originally liberated both Ellis and Biedrins from Montgomery’s restrictive, hierarchical system, his player rotations for the past two years have suggested a steadily decreasing tolerance for the youthful indiscretions that come from giving 19 or 20 year olds consistent minutes. CJ Watson, meanwhile, older and well-seasoned in college, had no problem landing a consistent role during his rookie and sophomore campaigns. If Nelson has the option of drafting a young, unproven stud and a steady, proven collegiate veteran, I’m putting my money on the old guy.

Draft, what draft? When his final years in Dallas rolled around, Nelson was barely drafting talent — choosing just to trade for instant assistance. Granted, those Dallas teams could legitimately claim to be one player away, making the instant gratification a smart one. I get worried, however, when Riley starts rolling out the same talking points about the Warriors simply being one veteran away. Nelson’s coaching last year suggested his “win now” instinct is as strong as ever. Mix that in which a decreasing tolerance for youngsters, and you have a man who only kept his draft pick for 2 of his last 6 seasons in Dallas. Those trades were mixed bags, suggesting that Nelson might be better at finding diamonds in the rough than evaluating what known commodities his teams need to succeed. The Warriors aren’t as bad off as the Dallas team Nelson originally resurrected by wheeling and dealing picks, but they may be equally strapped for tradeable resources given contracts (Crawford, Maggette, Jackson), fan favorites (Randolph, Turiaf, Biedrins) and players considered to be propped up by Nelson’s system (Morrow, Azubuike, Watson). That leaves our pick and a few scattered youngsters (Wright and Belinelli) to facilitate a trade.

Applying the above logic to this draft, the murmurs about Hill and Curry make more sense. Both are relative old men as college juniors and fill needs under the various alternative realities in which Warriors’ brass may currently be operating. Holiday and Jennings may drop a bit on the Ws’ draft board due to inexperience, and Evans takes a double hit for being young and playing at the swing spot, a relatively stacked position in Riley and Nelson’s own recent assessments. Of course, if there’s any fire to the smoke coming out of the Ellis camp, Nelson may be fed up with dealing with youngsters. Although this team is nowhere close to being “one player away,” Nelson may trade his pick plus a youngster or two in order to ease whatever headaches he may perceive as looming.

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The good news? Draft day with Nelson is rarely routine. It’s either rewarding (Richmond, Hardaway, Howard), eventful (Van Exel and Walker trades), or both (Webber and Nowitzki trades). Only twice did Nelson walk away completely empty-handed for the long term (Rozier and Thomas). There are plenty of areas where Nelson gets more credit than he deserves, but the draft is the one area where Nelson’s skills may actually be underrated. Now, let’s just all hope that next Thursday isn’t the day that Larry “Big Country” Riley finally breaks with Nelson to exercise some independent GM authority.

I’d rather trade down, still get a vet, and take Lawson, then trade completely out.

KS, it’s all good. I agree Tim throws a lot of stuff out there. I like that though. He has opinions, takes chances and is wrong sometimes. I think he clearly states his opinions as his opinions and not facts.

The Oracle

I just don’t get what Hill gives us that AR, BW and RT don’t.

A quality PG gives us something we don’t have, someone to run the offense and distribute the ball, get guys good shots, rack up the assists.

How does Hill makes us better?

What happened to our 2nd round pick?

The Oracle

I am the sharpest butter knife in the sock drawer 🙂

Lorena Babbit

I am a dubs fan, a shorter point guard than even Mugsy.
I am the knife you fear.
Draft wisely or else.

The Oracle

David Berns, Wages of Wins, statistice also support Ty Lawson as the best PG in the draft. Followed by Stephen Curry.

Myriad
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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For other uses, see Myriad (disambiguation).
Sister project Look up myriad in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Myriad (μυριάδος, from μύριος, murios, “numberless, countless, infinite”, later converted to “myriad” by the Romans) is a classical Greek name for the number 104 = 10,000 . In modern English the word refers to an unspecified large quantity.

The term myriad is a progression in the commonly used system of describing numbers using tens and hundreds. Small numbers are named in terms of number of tens plus the remainder; for example 76 is seven tens plus six. Numbers larger than ten tens require a new description, a hundred. Thus, 1776 is seventeen hundred seventy six. Similarly one hundred hundred is a myriad. A myriad myriad, or one hundred million, was left as the largest named number by the Ancient Greeks and is also the largest named number in the Bible.

A myriad is primarily a singular cardinal number; just as the “thousand” in “four thousand” is singular (one does not write “four thousands people”) the word myriad is used in the same way: “there are four myriad people outside”. When used as a noun, meaning “a large number”, it follows the same rules as that phrase. However, that is not the case originally in Greek, where there is plural.

In English, the term “myriad” is most commonly used to refer to a large number of an unspecified size. In this way “myriad” can be used as either a noun or an adjective. Thus both “there are myriad people outside” and “there is a myriad of people outside” are correct.

Merriam-Webster notes, “Recent criticism of the use of myriad as a noun, both in the plural form myriads and in the phrase a myriad of, seems to reflect a mistaken belief that the word was originally and is still properly only an adjective…. however, the noun is in fact the older form, dating to the 16th century. The noun myriad has appeared in the works of such writers as Milton (plural myriads) and Thoreau (a myriad of), and it continues to occur frequently in reputable English. There is no reason to avoid it.”[1]

The English numbering system divides large numbers into groups of three digits, and so the names for such numbers follow this division (10,000 = ten thousand). East Asian numbering divides large numbers into groups of four; so in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, 30,000 really would be “three myriad” (3,0000 — Japanese san-man). One million is a hundred myriad (100 × 10000 instead of 1000 × 1000); the next uniquely named number after a myriad is 億, which is myriad myriad (10000 × 10000) or a hundred million.

Modern Greek still uses the word “myriad” by itself, but also to form the word for million. The word for million is ekatommyrio (hundred myriad — εκατομμύριο); one thousand million is disekatommyrio (twice hundred myriad — δισεκατομμύριο).

The largest number named in Ancient Greek was a myriad myriad and Archimedes of Syracuse used this quantity as the basis for a numeration system of large powers of ten, which he needed to count grains of sand, see The Sand Reckoner.

There is only slight indication that “myria” has at all been used as a metric prefix for 10,000, e.g., 10 kilometres = 1 myriametre. It does not have official status as an SI prefix.

In Sweden and Norway, one mile = 10,000 metres = one myriametre. Before they went metric, one Swedish mile was 10,688 metres and a Norwegian mile was 11,295 metres, so only a small change had to be made to the old mile to make them equal to one myriametre. Even today, Swedes normally use the Swedish mile to refer to travel distances in everyday language. Similarly, one myriometre = 0.0001 metre.

In Great Britain, the Ordnance Survey use the term myriad to refer to a 100 km × 100 km area in the National Grid.

pbob20: I had hoped to go to Vegas again this year but I’ll be out of the country that week. I heartily recommend the experience. You get the best seat in the house all day long for just a few bucks, and you get a really look at the how the players perform. I don’t buy the idea that Vegas is not a good gauge of talent. Of course it’s not the first-line of the NBA, but there are a lot of good players there and they are all trying to impress.

I think I got a good read on Anthony Randolph and figured out the strengths and weaknesses of his game. That’s why it was so frustrating for me this past year to see that Don Nelson had no clue about how to coach him. Anybody who says that Randolph grew under Nelson’s tutelage (including Anthony himself) has got that wrong. A coach that knows how to work with a young guy would have brought him along much faster. The verbal and nonverbal insults Nelson doled out for the first two thirds of the season were beyond terrible.

The other guy Nelson still hasn’t figured out is Marco Bellinelli. Marco has tremendous talent beyond the obvious–streaky good shooting and deft passing. He has leadership ability and nobody sees the floor better. In Vegas he ran the team. He took charge directing players around, encouraging good play, talking through strategies. Marco is a wasted talent on the Warriors. I hate the idea of him leaving the club but on the other hand it seems like he’ll never get a real shot so long as The Fat Man (credit to jsl) is in charge.

We also saw Anthony Morrows amazing shooting touch, but also his liabilities. Anthony is not a natural athlete, and loses his man on defense frequently. Still, he can be brought along.

I became convinced that Anthony Randolph made Brandan Wright redundant. I couldn’t stand DeMarcus Nelson’s play and CJ Watson looked just like he does now….a good mid range shooter who offers nothing more. He turns out to be Nelson favorite, of course.

Two other obvious evaluations from Vegas last year: Richard Hendrix is a lumbering stiff and Louis Amundson would be a wonderful role player for the Warriors. Has anyone watched Amundson this past year play for Phoenix? He became the first man off the bench and a real fan favorite. My favorite fact? Louis rides his bike from his apartment in Phoenix to the games. That’s the kind of stuff that endears me to a player forever.

So I would have gone to Vegas this year if I were in the country, but I got to tell you: I haven’t been this unenthusiastic about the Warriors since Latrell Sprewell was bricking threes and wartching his daughter get her ear bitten off but his pit bull terrier.

Nelson will fanagle more wins this year and could even make a run for the playoffs. That won’t matter unless the young talent is given proper coaching and direction. Nelson, who has surrounded himself with weak assistant coaches and a faux general manager has one thing on his mind: surpassing Lenny Wilkens. Don’t let The Fat Man fool you. He hates retirement. The whole “I’d rather be in Hawaii” schtick is just part of the manipulative and arrogant attitude that undercuts any real chance for team development. It’s sad how many fall for it.

dr_john

James:

You gave good service last year at Vegas. Your blogging and as much internet game broadcasts as my satellite fair access policy would permit gave me a lot of good summer dubs stuff to think about. We’ll miss you this year.

I followed on into the Rocky Mountain Review (r.i.p.) and my observations/recollections:
Hendrix was injured for most of Vegas. When he got time in Utah he was not a lumbering stiff.
Amundsen did very well, but Kurz had a great RMR, so that may have swung it, or just the few dollars?
I liked DeMarcus, but it sure looked like he needed more coaching than he got in four years at Duke.
Dion Dowell got the first stuff-block against Greg Oden in his career.
That Smith guy for Philly (with Speights) is going to be really good, if he recovers—tough break.
Morrow was inauspicious in Vegas, but the MVP of the RMR. Which reminds me:
Didn’t Smart have the reins in Vegas but Moncrief in Utah?
Jamont Gordon played for Philly in Vegas and for the dubs in Utah. He showed some flashes, and I know he went to Europe. Any idea what happened?
Petteri Koponen looked fine, went to Italy and, like Jennings, busted. Any idea?

But the summer leagues were as interesting as they ever have been last year. Randolph, Wright, Bellinelli showed flashes. It did not look like the dubs were coaching defense especially well.

Louis Amundson’s fate was sealed when the Warriors signed Ronny Turiaf, which happened the last day of the Vegas games. Louis wanted a guaranteed contract. Warriors said no. Suns scarfed him up on a two-year deal.

I like Ronny but he and Amundson have very different games, except for the shot blocking expertise. Ronny has a better offensive game away from the hoop. Louis is a far better rebounder and overall defender.

Keith Smart did run the team in Vegas; not sure about Utah.

I became completely unsold on Brandan Wright in Vegas. Can’t forget my impression: not strong enough to power up underneath and no jump shot whatsoever. Brandan relies on quickness and length to score and defend. That’s fine but it isn’t enough for a guy who some thought would be a starter. Randolph is just a far superior talent. And Randolph is a 4. Period.

It will be interesting to see who the Warriors invite to Vegas this year. How they evaluate talent there (Morrow was all but forgotten; Marco was not appreciated; Randolph was buried; Amundson was let go; Kurz and DeMarcus Nelson made the team, etc.). The problem with DeMarcus, in my view, has less to do with coaching that offensive talent. He is a poor shooter and not a good distributor. Some guys have the instincts, some guys don’t.

It’s all there for the world to see.
Amundson and Hendrix >>>>> Kurz and Davidson?

I say yes. But guess who shoots the jump shots better?
Shocker.

dr_john

By the way, I tried tonight to post twice from this same isp, once as “SharpestKnifeInTheDrawer” and once as “Lorena Bobbit”, both posts (wish they had got through!) scuttled in moderation. I’m sure a sharper knife would know how to do multiple blogger names, but that’s it for me. Same old me, won’t try again.

Son of Ahmed

Oracle,
Some of us here can relate to what you’re going through, brother. Someone posted as Curse of Mullin and me on another blog awhile ago. How dare the imposters sully our good pseudonyms! 🙂 Imagine that: pseudo-identity theft from the interns. LOL. Actually, Curse and I both ignored it and didn’t give the child the attention he was seeking.

Dr. John,

I had the same thoughts as you about Hendrix. He played sparingly in Vegas due to injury as you mentioned. I watched the Rockie Mountain Review games and was impressed by the minutes Hendrix put in. As I mentioned before, Hot Rod Hundley was also very impressed and compared him favorably to Paul Milsap on the broadcasts. Like Brandan Wright, people are closing the book on Hendrix way too early. I believe that he’ll find a home in the NBA and will be a very nice role player and a very strong rebounder. Sadly, it won’t be for the good guys.

TheCity

I saw KS and that gang of homers attacking TK too – it was disgusting and transparent.

KS, Oracle’s not paranoid – someone did use his name. He asked you if it was you, which is not beyond reason. That’s not paranoid.

Being overly defensive is a tell.

The Oracle

Dr John,
I tried to post as The Sharpest Knife in the Drawer too! Too funny.

All my post said was “I agree with The Oracle”

That’s why we both got moderated out, same name, different ISP’s. Too funny.

The Oracle

Son of A,
I wanted to see if TK could see who was posting as me and which of the Nelson lovers was doing it. The post was also critical of TK’s ME blogs, and I wanted to set the record straight I see nothing wrong with his speculating about ME and the Nelson/Riley visit. Thanks

Homer Dubson

Interesting insights on Rubio from Chad Ford in the article below. Rookies do not want to play for DN, big men do not want to play for DN, other than D-leaguers who are happy to play for anyone and shoot-first second tier veteran shooting guards who love the ample playing time and ability to constantly chuck without fear of getting pulled (see Jackson, Stephen), does anyone want to play for DN these days? Artcle excerpts On Rubio are as follows (note that the despite the Warriors having a massive hole for the skills that the player brings, the player does not want to come to Golden State):

* “It’s pretty simple as to why Rubio is being selective: He is going to have to pay a lot of money for the privilege to play in the NBA next season. His buyout will cost him something between $5 and $7 million of his own money. That’s a lot of money, especially when you consider that Rubio wasn’t making a ton of dough in Spain. He essentially will be signing over his paychecks for the next couple of years to his team in Spain.”

* “Rubio can always go back to Spain, play out the last two years of his contract and come to the NBA in 2011 without any buyout. However, he wants to play in the NBA now if it’s the right team, the right coach and the right situation for him to grow as a player. His camp knows that it’s the second contract, not the first one, that matters. So trying to find the right fit for him has become paramount.”

* “And the Warriors at No. 7? They too could use a pass-first guard like Rubio. But Don Nelson is notoriously hard on rookies and hasn’t shown much love to the last few international kids to come his way (ask Marco Belinelli).

So you can understand why Team Rubio is taking a pretty cautious approach. If he’s going to come to the NBA and pay that kind of money, it had better be a good fit for him and the team.”

I have been wondering for many years at what point the best draft picks would openly say they don’t want to come here and sit on Nelson’s bench.

I think this year is that year, with so many prospects refusing to even work out for us even though we have the 7th pick.

I haven’t heard anyone publicly say they don’t want to play here, and of course those that come here say they are more willing, but Nelson’s treatment of his 1st round picks the past 3 years will live in NBA infamy, and it was only a matter of time before the players and agents didn’t want to be next on his DNP-CD list. What a joke.

Kommon Senze

TheCity..

I know someone used his username. I’m saying he’s being over-paranoid if he thinks I’m the one that used it. Try learning to comprehend a sentence, why don’t you?

Being overly stupid is a tell, also.

The Oracle

The City,
Thanks for the support. Appreciate it.

KS, The City is right. I wasn’t being paranoid. Just wanted to make sure it wasn’t you, and I even said when I asked that I didn’t think it was you. It’s all good. Much too much talk about non basketball issues. Let’s move on.

What PG’s do you like if any for the #7?

Jastafan

All just mental Masturbation my friends, this is a weak draft and we have a weak owner a weak PR Dept. and a weak Coaching staff who do anything to win 24 more game then pack it in……………… Boycott

Kommon Senze

I did move on, Oracle.. there’s no issue between you and me. 🙂 I’m just tired of guys like TheCity, whose only contribution to these threads typically is to brow-beat people who don’t agree with the prevailing sentiment.

………..

BTW, I did post something yesterday around 7pm that apparently is still sitting in limbo awaiting moderation (supposedly over the word ‘pa$$able’ — can’t see anything else that would trip a filter). I’ll repost:

……………

Getting back to talking basketball..

On the topic of what might happen with the pick:

I’ve been thinking about this a bit, and I wish there was a way to take advantage of the possibility that Richard Hamilton is available, since I think he could be a really good backcourt mate to Ellis (moves without the ball well; can be a playmaker, as his 6 ast per game after the all-star break this year suggest; good shooter, though not known for being a 3-pt specialist; has good size and can plays pas$able defense).

The rumor mills have been saying that the Pistons would like to add Gordon and Boozer this summer, but they probably need a little more cap space to do that. I have my suspicions about whether or not Hamilton is really on the block, but if Gordon is on their radar, it sounds like a distinct possibility.

Is there a way that the Warriors can make an offer that could entice Detroit? This was the best I could come up with:

The Pistons, in this deal, save a net of $2 million (including the discrepancy of the #7 salary vs. the #15 salary), and have a shot at adding a tier-2 draft player rather than getting stuck with a tier-3 player. Crawford would be much more likely to accept a backup role to Gordon, and BW would provide a PF with more upside than Amir. The Warriors could still probably land Terrence Williams with the #15 pick, too. In fact, say Jordan Hill is there at #7.

Still a bit of a glut at the wings, but they could then maybe to move Maggette for an expiring (like Stackhouse’s contract), to free up more playing time for the younger guys.

Just a thought. Probably a long, long shot (and perhaps not enough to entice a deal), but something I’ve been thinking about.

Jules

I normally stay away from all these myriad of conflicts between posters, but today I’ll make an exception…

QUOTE:
“BTW, did you post with my screenname on TK’s blog? Somebody that doesn’t care for me did.

I wouldn’t guess it was you,

you don’t seem the type really,

but lets clear the air.”

Kommon Senze, YOU are the paranoid recalcitrant on this issue concerning Oracle’s “request” to you to “clear the air”, although he did it in a “banter” manner, cognizant of your previous sparring sessions… So, get off your paranoia and maybe offer an apology or some patch work… move on.

The Oracle

KS,
Good thoughts. Thanks.

Honestly, I don’t think we’re in the market for another SG, even Hamilton. SJ can play there, as can MB, AM, KA.

I like trading JC since he doesn’t seem to fit, but taking back another SG, not the best we can do.

And I like Detroits team better too 🙂

The Oracle

I heard the Bobcats are wanting to trade Wallace, I’d rather see us add him for JC. I think the salaries are close.

But would Brown accept JC’s defense? I doubt it.

Kommon Senze

Jules..

Why don’t you stick to correcting grammar and stay out of it. There’s no issue or paranoia I have. I’m argumentative, sure, but paranoid? Hardly. What did I do when Oracle asked to clear the air? I cleared the air. Idiot. I simply added that he was being a bit paranoid to even think I would do such a thing, caveat or no caveat.

As Oracle said.. we’re cool.

Thanks for the armchair psychology, though. It was utterly useless, but I appreciate the attempt.

Kommon Senze

KA can’t play SG, though. Not in Nellie’s offense. He can’t pass. And we know Corey can’t either, which is why he’ll slide him up to PF rather than down to SG. If the Warriors were able to, say, get rid of Maggette for Stackhouse, then their roster would look like:

I do think Nellie likes Morrow, but if he can get a veteran who can really handle the ball and help facilitate the offense (Morrow hasn’t demonstrated that ability yet), it would ease the pressure a bit on Ellis having to be the lead-guard. He’ll still be the point, and will still have a lot of responsibility, Hamilton’s not a guy who needs to dominate the ball, which is why I see him as ideal (or as ideal a player as is potentially available at this time).

I don’t know that Brown would take Crawford. Remember, he did have him in New York, and he didn’t exactly jump up and down in praise of Crawford. Wallace may have his flaws, but I think his ability to play defense will trump Crawford’s value in Charlotte.

Jules

Kommon Senze…

Same psycho babble applies to you indefinitely, but hey, your clock is ticking… better get to IT.

Idiots like you may be argumentative, but that’s a lucrative mandate you employ onto others. No one’s amused, dude!

As if anyone is impressed by your rather obtuse attempts at pigeon-holing other posters, Jules. SOA said you were a good poster (you and BG). I’m questioning that assessment.

I’ve got no beef with you other than when you choose to be an ahole and attack me. The inappropriate board ettiquette is yours, Jules. And you might try applying that psycho-babble on yourself. Reflect. Think about how idiotic you sound trying to analyze someone you don’t know the first thing about.

Jules

Nothing to know about your a$$ worth, Kommon Senze!

You’re spread out all over the board for all to gaggle, like a whore-ny bird attracting anything – impohtent.

No beef with you either – just offer an apology to Oracle and we’ll move on. That’s the appropriate board “etiquette”.

rigged

There’s a blogger who is on every blog. Obviously, blogging is his way of living as blog cop 24/7.

Question is, who is paying this guy.

The Oracle

Not sold on Hamilton in our offense. He seems to get a lot of shots off set plays and screens. We don’t run a lot of stuff like that.

I’d rather take a chance on Curry.

I’m warming up to Evans if he drops. He gives us options with ME. We can play him at SG, or switch them if the ME PG thing doesn’t work. I din’t like him at first, though maybe he was a lesser version of JC.

If we trade down I’d rather see us pick up Lawson than Williams.

gsreject

Jules….

I hate people like you, who gives a Rats a$$ about grammer on a blog comments section. Your anal ways are the reason this world is going to hell in a hand basket. Lets stick to basketbal….thats why were here. Not to read your mental masterbation…..and if my spelling or grammer is incorrect….go f**k your self.

Son of Ahmed

KS,

I’ve been a visitor on this blog for awhile now, and have seen readers come and go. Everyone has their voice, which for better or worse makes the blog interesting and colorful. Sound blogging principles make the experience enjoyable and rewarding for all of us. And following them can earn readers the coveted POD award. Here are some rules to consider.

#1 Have a take. I’m not a big fan of Jim Rome, but I do believe that his principle of having a “good take” is good not only for talk shows but for blogs as well. Get in and out, and do it in style. Along these lines, avoid playing the devil’s advocate all the time. It’s better to be firm in one’s own convictions than to be regarded as a mere partner with the devil.

#2 Don’t be a volume scorer. Ears grow weary from Polonius-like pontifications. It’s OK to repeat a theme, but do it with discretion and moderation. Quality, not quantity. Sometimes a long, thoughtful post is good; sometimes less is more.

#3 Don’t get played, sucka. I’ve given you this piece of advise already, but based on your responses to several readers since then, CC in particular, I can tell it didn’t stick.

#4 Seek first to understand, then to be understood. This is very important. Read each post carefully, and twice if you’re going to respond. You know the old adage about two ears and one mouth. Applies to blogging too. In the heat of the debate one can easily misinterpret a post or gloss over an important point.

#5 Don’t get angry. If you do, don’t show it. It’s a sign of weakness.

#6 Don’t say something you’ll regret later. Emotional tirades on blogs are akin to getting drunk at the office party and waking up the next morning with a cheap girl for whom you had no attraction before the liquor took hold. This kind of abomination results in regret and self-loathing.

Follow these rules and you will prosper in this wasteland known as Warriors fandom.

And one last thing, KS: When you can snatch the pebble from my hand it will be time to leave.

jsl

JOL @258-260: Terrific thoughts. We’ll really miss you this year at Vegas. (But it sounds like you’ll still be having fun, anyway.)

I STILL like BW more than you, but concede (1) your criticisms are on point and (2) AR was much more impressive from the get-go. If BW stays on the team — a BIG if, I fear — we’ll find out this year if he’s got the right stuff. (We’ll find that out if Nelson trades him, too, but that’ll only improve his chances of making it, I suspect.)

I also like Marco, and his court vision on offense, but the thing I remember from Vegas last year was how poorly he defended and how easily opponents just blew by him (shades of Monta). Once the season started, though, he knuckled down on D and was, IMO, our best defending guard, until his injury. (OK, OK. Since Nelson really only played Monta, Jamal, AMO, and Watson at the one and two, that’s not saying much. I did think, tho, that AMO got better on D as the season progressed.)

But, tell me, JOL: Have the Warriors had a sweeter shooter than AMO since Mully — or even Short? And do you see him shooting more off the dribble this year? Maybe I’ve got stars in my eyes, but I like this kid a lot and think he’s something really special. And he works so hard, he might just — like Mully — be able to overcome his relative lack of athleticism.

Finally, to KS: We might see this game — and the Fat Man — thru different eyes, but what’s with that weirdo “Perry” on the Marcus blog?

jsl

P.S. to SOA: POD’s — and Kudos — to you on this thread. On all counts.

BD5

WOW! One of the rare positive blogs about Nellie.

The Oracle

Son of A,

Good advice I didn’t follow more than a few times. 🙂

Oh well, we live, we learn, and hopefully we grow.

The Oracle

jsl,
I was also amazed at how Marco focused and succeeded on defense.

When I created an all defensive team, I put MB at PG.

MB
SJ
SA
AR
AB

I think that squad would play tough defense and still score the ball.

TheCity

SOA, good advice for all of us. (Even if I’m just pretending to understand the pebble reference 🙂 )

great link curse of mullin. ive been looking for a detailed article like that but a lot of workouts have been closed to reporters.

i think its definitely down between jennings and evans. i ultimately think that warriors will pick evans, believing him to be versatile between SG and PG depending on how monta adjusts to the PG spot.

Arvid

I think they’ll both be gone before 7, J possibly having the greatest upside and E having shown what he can do under pressure in the tourney. My guess is that Hill will ‘slip’ to the Ws, allowing them to package BW in a package with one of the overpriced vets. I would prefer they keep Brandon as a nice piece off the bench, but having Hill would make it easier to say sayonara.

Son of Ahmed

COM,
Great article; the first full account of a workout I’ve seen. If anything, it helps to rule out Holiday. I was never sold on him. He may drop big time and regret not putting in one more year at UCLA.

Valr

To me what’s more significant in that linked article in #296 (thanks COM) is the fact that the Wolves INVITED a regular fan (STH) to the workouts, probably knowing he’ll blog about it later. That was brilliant! It promotes connection with the fanbase. Fans are hungry for news and the Minnesota management smartly used the power of the new medium to generate more excitement about the prospects and the team.

Contrast that with the Warriors’ usual knee-jerk reaction to stifle all news (except what they spin) because of their defensiveness over their past (and future?) mistakes.